Victory Mission launches coffee venture

Photo courtesy Springfield Victory Mission Inc.

Victory Coffee Co. is launching with a Tanzania Peaberry product.

Springfield Victory Mission Inc. is getting into the coffee business.

The nonprofit is working with Brick & Mortar Coffee LLC and Community Foundation of the Ozarks on a new venture dubbed Victory Coffee Co., said Jason Hynson, executive director of Victory Mission.

“We’re constantly trying to find ways that will make money so we can put men and women to work,” he said. “Some of them go from homelessness to productive citizens. We just have to give them that work experience.”

Hynson said volunteers from the nonprofit’s drug and alcohol recovery programs this morning packed 75 bags of coffee in preparation for a debut on June 26 at Brick & Mortar Coffee, 1666 St. Louis St. He said Victory Mission also is working with churches to build out a subscription service, and in the future, the goal is to sell coffee on its website.

The venture came about through a $30,000 grant from CFO.

“We’re using the grant almost as seed capital,” Hynson said.

Victory Coffee is launching with one product called Tanzania Peaberry, a washed-process coffee with citrus and chocolate. Brick & Mortar Coffee is roasting the beans for Victory Coffee. Hynson said the venture is meant to be self-funded after the grant money is spent, with the goal of continuing its partnership with Brick & Mortar.

“We’re staring small. We’re trying to do this right,” Hynson said. “We’re trying to be systematic.”